Printing-press.



.'J. WHITE.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5.1913.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

. lllWN Wn+NEs$ES 1. WHITE.

' PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5.1913.

Pat-aimed. NOVI 2,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. WHITE. PRINTING PRESS. APPLICATION FILED MAY S, I9I3- PatentedNov. 2, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. WHITE.

PRINTING PRESS. APPLICATION 'FlLED MM 5. 1913.

4. SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patented NW2, 191 5.

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JO SEPH WHITE, OF PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HALL PRINTING PRESS COMPANY, NEW JERSEY.

0F DUNELLEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF PRINTING-PRESS.

Application filed May 5, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Beet known that I, J OSEPII VVl-rrrn, a cit1- .zen of the United States, residing in Piscataway township, State of New Jersey, (post-oflice address Bound Brook, New Jersey),have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Presses; and I do declare the following to be a full, true, and exact description of the said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make use of the 1vide means,

vided with a mechanism for same. i

This present invention relates to any form of sheet handling device in which it is necessary to feed sheets to sheet taking mechanism with a definite relation to such mechanism, and one -of the objects of my invention is to provide means by which to'throw out the impression in a printing press on the failure of a flow of sheets thereto, or on one or more sheets being presented to the press in inaccurate relation thereto for printing in register, and for throwing in the impression when sheets are properly presented. Another object of the invention is to pro which sheets are forwarded one by one, by automatic or semi-automatic means, to divert from its'normal path, a sheet not properly presented to such sheet handling machinery. This is desirable so that such misplaced sheets shall not go into the same pile as sheets which have been properly presented, and particularly in printing presses pro tripping the impression, so that sheets, when not properly presented, will not pass in an unprinted condition into the pile of regularly printed sheets.

1 have also provided a novel form of mechanism by which the tripping mechanism or the sheet diverter, or both, will be under the automatic control of sheets being presented to the sheet handling mechanism.

\Vith these and other objects in view my m v Specification of Letters Patent.

in sheet handling devices into Figure 1 represents a Patented Nov. 2, 1915. serial No. 765,414.

tures in relation thereto as they would be when a sheet has been properly presented to the sheet taking device. Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1, except that the parts are shown as they would be if a sheet has not been properly presented to the sheet taking device. Fi 3 represents an enlarged portion of 1* ig. 1 showing the parts in the relation they would be if a sheet has not been properly presented. .Fig. 4: shows the relation of the sheet when it has been properly presented and Fig. 5 shows an end elevation of Fig. 4. Figs. (5 and 7 represent two views of a preferred form of tape driving and supporting mechanism.

The corresponding parts are referred to both in the drawings and specification by similar reference characters.

Referring now to the drawings, 10 represents an impression cylinder and 11 a form cylinder, the latter being provided With suitable inking and water rollers, customary in the planographic printing press, which'I have chosen for purposes of illustration. These two cylinders are geared together in the usual manner to form a printing couple and arranged to print the sheets fed to the lower side of the cylinder 10, and to deliver such sheets in the usual manner through the rollers and tapes shown at the top of the cylinder 10.

The impression cylinder 10 is provided with the usual set of gripper fingers 12 normally held closed on the impression surface of the cylinder 10 by the spring 13 acting on the lever 14. The shaft supporting the fingers 12 is provided with the usual cam lever and cam roller 15 controlled by the cam 16 loosely mounted on the center of the cylinder 10 for a purpose to be hereinafter derelease the sheet at the top of the cylinder 10 of Fig. 1. 1

The cylinder 10 is mounted in eccentric boxes in the usual manner, each of these boxes being connected through lever 17 and link 18 with a lever 19 attached to a shaft 20. As will be seen by an inspection of Figs.

' 1 and 2, the shaft 20 rotates the eccentric bushings and thus trips the impression between, the cylinders 10 and 11. This partial rotation of the shaft 20, back and forth, to trip and uptrip the impression is brought about by the operation of a fork 21 connected at one end to an eccentric 22 attached to a shaft 23. This shaft is geared to the cylinder 11, in the form illustrated, in the ratio of three to one. Thus the fork 21 makes three complete reciprocations for each rotation of the cylinders 10 and 11. Mounted on the shaft 20 and attached thereto is a double ended lever 24 carrying pins 25 and turn the lever 24 to the position shown in.

Fig. 1. So long as the fork 21 is held in its upward position, the further repeated reciprocations thereof will not affect the position of the lever 24. If, however, the fork.

21 is moved downwardly, it will, on its next forward motion, engage with the pin 25 through the lower notch of the fork and the lever 24 will be turned to the position shown in Fig. 2. The raising of the fork 21 will again restore the lever 24 to the position shown in Fig. 1. Thus the moving of the fork 21 up and down serves to trip or untrip the impression between the cylinders 10 and 11.

Shafts 30 and 31 at the left of Figs. 1 and 2 extend across the frames of the machine and are provided with sprockets carrying, preferably, a pair of chains 32, one at either side of the machine. Through the gears 33, 34, and 35, the shaft 31 is rotated, causing the upper portion of the chain extending between the shafts 30 and 31 to travel toward the cylinder 10. On centers 36 and 37 are supported a series of tape pulleys 38 and 39 driven in any suitable manner, and preferably, as shown in Figs. (3' and 7 as described hereinafter, through the gearing shown at the left of Fig. 1, so that the upper portion of the tapes passing around these sets of pulleys will also move toward the cylinder 10. These tapes serve as a support to carry the sheets placed thereon and move such sheets toward the sheet taking point of the impression cylinder 10. In addition, I provide a series of. flat bars 41 to support the sheet, these bars extending up to and beyond the closing point of grippers 12. On the chain 32 is carried a gaging mechanism shown in enlarged viewsin Figs. 3, 4, and 5.

This gaging mechanism includes a sheet front gage 40 attached to the chain in such a manner that it moves in the path of the sheet carried by the tapes on the pulleys 38 and 39. The gage 40 is provided with an overguide 42 to direct the'sheet against the gage 40, and, as will be seen by an inspection of Fig. 1, moves in the plane of a sheet forwarded by the tapes and is moved at a speed slower than that given to the sheets by the tapes. Thus the sheet, because of this difference in speed, is pushed by the tapes against the front gage 40 while it is being conveyed to the taking point of the impression cylinder 10. Also carried by the chain 32 and pivotally mounted thereon adjacent the gage 40 is an arm 43 of a lever carrying at its opposite end a projection 44. The weight of the projection 44 is sufficient to normally hold the arm 43 in the position shown in Fig. 3. But the two arms 43 and 44 are balanced so that when a sheet S is. moved against the gage 40, the arm 43, is moved to the position shown in Fig. 4, thus swinging the projection 44 to the position shown in Fig. 4. Hence, if, at a predetermined point in the travelof the gage 40, a sheet is not presented thereto so as to be in correct relation therewith, the projection 44 stands in the position shown in Fig. 3, whereas if the sheet has been properly presented,

it stands in the position shown in Fig. 4.

. frame of the machine on the rod 46 and extending in the path of the projection 44. The edges of the plate 45 are sharpened so that the projection 44 will move either above the plate 45 or below it, and when the projection 44 is moving below the plate 45, it is able to resist the pressure .of the mechanism now about to be described.

Extendingacross the side frames of the press are two shafts 47 and 48. To the shaft 48 is attached a lever 49 connected by a rod 50 to one end of the lever 51 carrying a cam roller 52 moved by a cam 53,-this cam being adjustably attached to the cylinder 11. As will be seen by an inspection of Fig. 1, the cam 53gives to the shaft 48 a continuous reciprocating motion. Attached to the shaft 48 is a lever 54 carrying at one end a pivoted member 55, weighted by the arm 56 so as to hang normally in the position shown in Fig. 4. The pivoted member 55 is provided with an upper arm 57 arranged to be engaged by the projection 44 when the latter is traveling beneath the plate 45 to swing the pivoted member 55 to the position shown in Fig. 3. Attached to the shaft 47 is a lever 58 carrying at its end a vertically movable pin 59 having a head 60- carrying a notch 61. This headed pin is held normally in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 by a fiat spring 62. The pivoted member 55 is provided with a lower arm 63 extending in the plane of the head 60, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The projection 44, moving below the plate 45, servesto swing the pivoted memact to swing the arm- (53 out of the notch 61 her 55 so that the arm (33 is moved from the into the position shown in Fig. 4, the stop position shown in Fig. 4 into the position collar 70 being set so as to limit the upper shown in Fig. 3, the spring (32 permitting .position of lever aS'for that purpose. On

5 the head (30 to be pushed downward to allow the further rotation of the cam 53, a high the arm (53 to snap into the notch '11 and into portion 72 is reached by the cam roller 52, the .position shown in Fig. 3. When the which causes the arm 54 to be swung downparts are in this posit n.-the shaft 48 is roward into the position shown in Fig. Jr. ready tated by the cam 53 and the arm 5-l. swingto be acted upon by the projection it when ing downward, carries with it through the the latter passes below the plate 45. 75 arm 63 and the headed pin (30, the arm 5H, It should be understood that when I speak thus partially rotating the shaft 47. Atof a sheet being properly positioned against tached to theshaft l? is a lever (it, connectthe gage 4-0, I mean that it shall be placed ed through a rod (35 with a bell crank (36, exactly thereagainst so that it will be in connected in turn yieldingly through a rod correct register with the impression cylinder 0 67 with the fork 21. The partial rotation 10 when delivered thereto. It will also be of the shaft 47 from the position shown in understood that the mechanism shown in Fig.1 t0 the position shown in Fig. 2 thus Figs. 3 and 4 will be preferably duplicated permits the fork 21 to drop so that at its on either sideof the press so that, if a sheet next forward reciprocation, it will engage be properly presented to one gage 44), for 35 with the pin 25 to rotate the eccentric bear instance. at the right hand side of the press,

, ings of the cylinder 10 to trip the impresand not presented properly to the gage +0 sion. An inspection of Fig. 3 will show, at the left hand side of the press, the shaft however, that the projection 44 is not in the 47 will be rotated to trip. the in'ipression.

25 position shown in that figure unless no sheet By this means, a sheet which is not in proper 90 has been properly presented to the gage +0, relation throughout its length crosswise of so that the failure to so present a sheet rethe press will cause the cylinders to separate sults in the tripping of the impression. If such a sheet were taken by the grippers As the cam roller 52 passes to the lowest 12 at the feeding point, the machine might part of cam 53, spring 68 turns the shaft 48 be clogged by reason of the grippers fail- 95 so that the lever 54 swings to its upper posiing to hold the sheet properly. Moreover, if tion as 'shown in Fig. 4. This permits the such sheet were carriwlaround to the deliv-. lever 58 to rise also. a spring of) causing the ery tapes, it would-be a blank sheet since the shaft 47 to turn. This causes the fork 21 to impression would be tripped and this blank be raised to its upward position as shown in sheet would be deposited in the regular de- 100 Fig. 1. If no sheet vis again presented to livery pile. it is therefore desirable to prethe 'gage'40 as it again returns to the posivent or withhold the action of the grippers -tion shown in Figs. 3 and 4,! the projection 12 so that the sheet will not be carried 44 again-moves the arm (33 into the notch (3i around the impression cylinder 10, and it is so that the downward motion of the arm 54 also desirable that such wrongly positioned 105 carries the lever with it, and the fork 21 sheets shallbe thrown out of the press beis permitted to drop before engaging with fore being carried to the delivery pile. the pin 26; The cylinder thus remains in :1 Either of these. features alone is desirable tripped position until a sheet has been prebut l prefer .to combine them and I have 45 sented properly to the gage 40, In such provided. mechanism for that purpose. As 0 case, the arm (33-, does not engage with the has been pointed out before, the. gripper notch 61, so that, when the lever 58 is moved cam 16 is loosely'mounted on the. center of downward. the shaft 47 is not disturbed and the cylinder 10. 'lhrough a lever and a the fork 21 thus engages with the pin 26 to connecting rod 70, the cam 16 is connected 50 move the lever 2-1- into the position shown in to a lever 77 attached to the shaft 20. When Fig", 'i from the position shown in Fig. 2. the shaft 20 is rotated so as to separate the A continual supply of sheets prevents the printing couple, the cam 10 is moved from engagement of the arm (53 with the notch the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position (31 so that the impression remains on. shown in Fig. 2. The grippers 12 are there- 55 The upward position of the lever 58 is deby prevented from closing at the usual sheet i termined by a suitable stop such as I have taking point and are permitted to close only shown in the form of a collar 70'attached to after such point has been passed, as will be the spring rod of the spring 6!) and set so shown by an inspection of Fig. 2. Thus an as to strike a puppet- 71 in the sideframe of irregularly positioned sheet will not be taken 60 the machine, thus limiting the upward mo by the grippers 12 since the shaft 20 is tion of the lever This cam 53 is de caused'to rotate into the position shown in signed so that the. lever 54 first swings up- "ig. 2 when the sheet isnot presented propwardly far enough to permit the arm 63 to erly to the front gages 40. As a means for be some distance above the topmost position diverting a wrongly deposited sheet, from at of the notch 61, so that the weight 66 may the path of the properly positioned sheets,

I provide on the shaft 20 one or more arms or switches 78. These arms are so proportioned and arranged as to be swung from the position shown in Fig. l to the position gage a sheet and throw it downwardly instead of permitting it to pass upwardly and around the cylinder 10. When a sheet is properly presented to the gages 40, the rotation of the shaft 20 ,throws the arms 78 into the position shown in Fig. 1, the sheet then passing around the cylinder 10.

In Figs. 6 and? I have shown a preferred form of supporting .and driving the sheet forwarding tapes shown at the left of Figs. 1 and 2, although it will be understood that any usual form of such mechanism may be used in connection with my invention. I have found'the special arrangement shown in Figs. 6 and 7, however, convenient and simple in operation, and one which enables me to locate the tapes and the supports 41 in any desired position without requiring the displacement of any other portions of the mechanism. Indeed, in some forms of sheet forwarding devices where it becomes necessary to move certain parts, such as guides and gages, cross-wlse of the machine, it becomes necessary to have these tapes and sheet supports removable, so that such side shifting may take place. The shafts 80, 81 are fixed in the side frame of the machine. Arranged to be adjustably and removably held are supports 82, 83, these supports being provided with set screws to fasten them to the shafts but having a portion of their bk .ring on the shafts 80, 81 cut away so that they may be readily removed. These supports 82, 83 are attached to the sheet support ll, which therefore forms a connection between them, the support 41 being rigid enough to act as a tie. ()n the support 82 is rotatablv mounted the pulley 38 and attached to the support ll is a pulley support 84 on which is rotatably mounted the pulley 39. This support 8+ is longitudinally adjust- ,able on the sheet support +1 and is held in adjusted position by the bolt A tape passes around the pulleys 38 and 3.) in the usual manner and may be tightened by shifting the support Bl on the sheet support 41. Preferably slots are cut in the sheet support :1 so that the belt may pass along the top surface thereof instead of at one side although the latter construction is sometimes desirable. By providing the arrangement which I have shown, however, the belt becomes simply a forwarding device being held in its proper position by the rigid sheet support *Il.

As will be seen from the arrangement just described, the loosening of the set screws in the supports 82, 83 permit these supports and the bar 41, together with the tapes and pulleys supported thereon, to be moved upwardly and away from the bars 80, 81 without disturbing the arrangement of the tapes and pulleys. On re-inserting shafts 80, 81 into the supports 82, 83, and tightening the screws, the tapes and supports will be again in their proper positions. It is necessary. to drive the tape at a definite speed, and as a means for driving these pulleys, whichwill not be disturbed by the removal of the pulleys therefrom in shifting them from place to place, and which will readily permit such removal, I provide a constantly rotating shaft 86in the form of a pipe roller suitably rotatably supported in the'side frames of' the machine, and located so that the tape in passing around the pulley 39 contacts with the roller 86, and is nipped between that roller and the pulley 39. This serves as a frictionaldrive for the tape, but one from which the pulley 39 can be readily removed and returned without in any way disturbing it, as will be obvious. The proper speed of rotation is given to-the shaft 86 through the gearing 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, the latter gear being attached to the shaft 30 carrying the sprockets for the chains It will be understood that many features of my invention would be useful in any kind of a sheet handling mechanism, such as folders or the like, and that the specific mechanism for carrying out such invention may vary within wide limits. It will also be understood that many features of my invention may be used independently of other features. For instance, for many purposes it will be'sullicient to merely control the action of the sheet taking device so that a sheet not properly positioned will not be taken by such device. It Wlll. also be understood that in many machines it will be sufficient to merely trip the impression or even to use the sheet diverting arms 78 alone to throw an irregularly positioned sheet out of the machine. It should also be understood that while I have shown these features of my invention'as controlled automatically by a sheet being presented to the impression cylinder, it is possible to use such features in connection with a foot trip operated by the feeder of the machine. It will also be understood that my arrangement for sup porting and driving the sheet forwarding tapes shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may be used in any kind of a machine in which it is desirable that such tapes shall be readily removable from the machine without disturbing the connection between such tapes and their driving mechanism.

Having now I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as followsf 1. A rotary sheet carrier, a set of sheet grippers thereon, means, including a cam, to

described my invention, what cause said grippers to close normally at each cycle of said carrier at a predetermined point in the travel thereof, and means, controlled by a sheet being presented to said grippers, to, cause the closing of said grippers to be delayed in each cycle of said carrier, when the sheet is improperly presented to said grippers, until said grippers have passed said predetermined point.

2. Sheet taking means, means to move Said sheet taking means, means to operate said sheet taking means at a predetermined v sheet in said path, and means, withheld from action by a sheet against said gage while the sheet is under the control of said forwarding means, to divert a sheet from said path.

4. A printing couple, means to forward a sheet along-a predetermined path toward said couple, means to divert a sheet from said path before it reaches said couple, means operating normally to move said diverting means into operative position, and means, extending into said path and arranged to be inovedby the advance of a sheet under control of said sheet-forwarding means, to suspend the action of said normally operating means.

5. Means to forward it sheet along a predetermined path, means to divert a sheet from said path, and means, moving with the sheet and extending into the path thereof while it is under control of said forwarding means, to operate said sheet-diverting means.

6. Means to support and move a sheet over any one of a plurality of paths, a gage movthe sheet is in the control of said forwarding means, to select automatically the path to be followed by the sheet, in accordance with the position of the sheet in relation to said gage.

7. A sheet carrier having sheet taking means thereon, means to move a sheet toward the taking point of said sheet taking means, a gage moving in the path of the sheet and arranged to position the sheet in correct relation with said sheet taking means and means arranged to be operated before the sheet reaches said taking point to divert the sheet. therefrom when the sheet has not been positioned against said gage.

8. Sheet taking means, means to move said sheet taking means, means to operate said ing with the sheet and means, operable whilesheet taking means at a predetermined point in their path of travel, means to move a sheet toward said sheet taking means, a gage in the path of said sheet and moving therewith, and means, adapted to be withheld from action by a sheet against said gage, to prevent the operation of said sheet taking means at said predetermined point and to alter the path of a sheet not positioned against said gage.

9. A sheet carrier, sheet grippers thereon, means to move a sheet toward the feeding point of said carrier, means to close said grippers at said feeding point, a gage in the path of the sheet and moving therewith, and means, adapted. to be withheld from action by a sheet against said gage, to prevent the closing of said grippers at said feeding point and to divert therefrom a sheet not positioned against-said gage.

10. A printing couple, means to forward a sheet along a predetermined path to said couple, a gage moving with and in the path of the sheet, and means adapted to be withheld from action by the presence of a sheet against said gage, to divert from said predetermined path a sheet under the control of said forwarding means not positioned against said gage and to separate said couple.

I 11. A printing couple, means to separate said couple, means to forward a sheet toward said couple, means to control the path of the sheet, a gage moving with and in the path of the sheet, and means, adapted to be controlled by the presence against said gage of a sheet under the control of said forwarding means, to control the operation of said couple separating means and said path controlling means.

12. A. printing couple, meansto separate said couple, means to forward a sheet toward said couple, a gage, means to move said gage with the sheet and in timed relation to said couple, means to control the path of the sheet and meansadapted to be controlled by the position in relation to said gage of the sheet while under control of said forwarding means to operate said couple separating means and said path controlling means.

13. A printing couplehaving sheet taking means thereon, means to forward a sheet toward the taking pointof said sheet tak ing means, means to separate said couple, means to control the path ofthe sheet, and

means, controlled by the position in relation to said sheet taking means of a sheet while under the control of said forwarding means, to operate said couple separating means and said path controlling means.

l i. A printing couple having sheet taking means thereon, means to operate said sheet taking means at a predetermined point in their path of travel, means to separate said couple, means to forward a sheet continu onsly toward and into said sheet taking means, and mechanically operated means, ex-

tending into the path of the sheet, to operate said couple separating means and to prevent the operation of said sheet taking means at said predetermined point.

15. A printing couple having sheet taking means thereon, means to operate said sheet taking means at a predetermined point in their path of travel, means to separate said couple, means to forward a sheet continuously toward and into said sheet taking means, a gage, and mechanically operated means, controlled by the position of the sheet in relation to said gage while the sheet is under the control of said forwarding means, to operate said couple separating means and to prevent the operation of said sheet taking means at said predetermined point.

16. A printing couple having sheet taking means thereon, means to close said sheet taking means at. a predetermined point in their path of travel, means to separate said couple, means to forward a sheet toward the point of operation of said sheet taking means, a gage, means to move said gage with the sheet and in the path thereof in timed relation to said sheet taking means, and mechanically operated means,-eontrolled by the position of a sheet in relation to said gage, to operate said couple separating meansand to prevent the closing of said sheet, taking means at said predetermined point.

17. A printing couple having sheet taking means thereon, means to operate said sheet taking means at a predetermined point in their travel, means to separate said couple, means to forward a sheet toward the taking point of said sheet taking means, means to control the path of the sheet, and means, extending into the path of the sheet while under the control of said forwarding means to operate said couple separating means and said path controlling means and to prevent the operation of said sheet taking means at said predetermined point.

18. A printing couple having sheet taking means thereon, means to forward a sheet to said couple, means to operate said sheet take ing means at a predetermined point in their travel, means to separate said couple, a gage, means to control the path of a sheet between said gage and said sheet taking means and means, controlled by the position in relation to said gage of a sheet under the control of said forwarding m ans, to operate said 001 ple separating means and said path controlling means and to prevent the operation of said sheet taking means at said predetermined point.

19. A printing couple, havingsheet taking means thereon, means to operate said sheet taking means at a predetermined point in their travel, means to separate said couple, means to forward a sheet toward the taking point of said sheet taking means, means to control the path of the sheet, a gage, means to move said gage with and in the path of the sheet in timed relation to said sheet taking means, and means,- controlled by the position in relation to said gage of a sheet under the control of said sheet moving means, to operate said couple separating means and said path controlling means and to prevent the operation of said sheet taking means at said predetermined point.

20. A printing couple, means to separate said couple, a support for a sheet being fed to said couple, a continuously moving gage in the path of the sheet on said support and traveling with the sheet independently of said support, and means, controlled by the sheet being fed, to operate said couple separating means according to whether or not the sheet is positioned against said gage at a predetermined point insaid gages travel before it reaches said couple.

21. A printing couple, means to separate.

said couple, a support for a sheet being'fed to said couple, a continuously moving pair.

of sheet front gages in the path of the sheet on said support and traveling with the sheet independently of said support, and means, controlled by the sheet being fed, to operate said couple separating means according to whether or not the sheet is positioned against both of said gages at a predetermined point intheir travel before they reach said couple.

22. A printing couple, meansto separate said couple, a support for a sheet being fed to said couple, means to forward a sheet along said support, an endless belt supported so that a portion thereof is parallel with said support, means to move said belt continuously, and means, mounted on said belt and arranged to extend into the path of a sheet on said support to be operated by a sheet under the control of said forwarding means, to control the operation of said couple separating means.

523. A printing couple, means to separate said couple, a support for a sheet being fed to said couple, meansto forward a sheet along said support, an endless belt arranged so that a portion thereof is parallel with said support, means to move said belt continuously in timed relation to said couple, a gage mounted on said belt and arranged to move in the path of a sheet on said support, and-means, mounted on said belt adacent said gage, to control the operation "-of said couple separating means according to whether a sheet under control of said forwarding means is present or-absent from the path of sheet is parallel with thereby, to throw said couple separating means into operation.

A printing couple, means to separate said couple, sheet taking means on said couple, means to forward a sheet toward and into said sheet taking means, a gage, means to support and move said gage into, parallel with and out of the path of a sheet while it is being forwarded toward the taking point of said sheet taking means, and means moving with said gage and controlled by tion to said couple,

the sheet being fed, to operatevsaid couple separating means according to Whether or not the sheet is positioned against said gage at'a predetermined point in said gages travel toward said sheet taking point.

A printin couple, means to trip said couple, trip controlling means to throw said trhpping means into operation, a lever,

means to oscillate said lever in timed relaa pivoted member on said lever, a gage, and sheet controlled-means having a portion thereof adjacent said gage to move said pivoted member into engage; ment we introlling means.

27. A printing couple, means to separate said couple, a movable member to control the operation of said separating means, a sheet support for a sheet being fed to said couple, a front gage, an endless belt to support said gage, means to support and move said belt so that said gage moves into, parallel with and out of the plane of said sheet support, a pivoted member on said belt adjacent said gage, and adapted to be moved by a sheet moving against said gage, a connecting member, means to move said connecting member in timed relation to said couple,

said pivoted member, said connecting member and said movable member being constructed and arranged so that said pivoted member may engage said connecting member to move the latter into operative relation with said movable member.

28. A printing couple, means to forward a sheet toward said couple, a gage, means to support and move said gage in the path of a sheet in the control of said forwarding means, a movable member adjacent said gage, and arranged to be moved by a sheet positioned against said gage and means arranged to hold said movable member in either one of tWo predetermined positions, according to Whether or not a sheet is positioned against said gage at a predetermined point of its travel.

JOSEPH WHITE.

Witnesses:

PHILIP V. HALL, K. R. MOYNIHAN. 

